Avengers: Endgame set to break box office records

There is as much speculation among rabid fans as to who will survive the next blockbuster instalment of The Avengers as there is about the final season of Game of Thrones.

Australians will be some of the first in the world to discover the outcome of Avengers: Endgame, the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it opens in Australia on April 24 — two days before the US.

Endgame is the direct sequel to last year’s Avengers: Infinity War, which grossed almost $3 billion worldwide,and it is likely to examine what happens after Thanos (Josh Brolin) wipes out half of all life in the universe in the previous film and how the remaining Avengers must find a way to stop the supervillain and undo the damage he has done.

It is expected to be the highest- grossing movie of the year, and could even have a crack at James Cameron’s Avatar as the biggest money earner of all time. The movie has already shattered the record for first-day pre-sales, beating the previous record-holder, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, by more than 50 per cent.

The Avengers franchise’s megastars have already started a massive worldwide publicity tour for the 182-minute film — the longest in Marvel history — with many of them stepping out in London this week for a fan event. Scarlett Johansson brought a Black Widow vibe to the red carpet in a tailored corset and blazer combo with cleavage-baring cut-outs.

Marvel is so concerned about spoilers that actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in the series, revealed they filmed five different endings to prevent anyone from knowing what happens at the end of Avengers: Endgame.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Ruffalo, 51, told E! News. “I shot, like, five different endings to this movie. I didn’t even get a whole script to this movie. And I don’t know why. The script I did get had dummy scenes in it.”

Ruffalo has been responsible for previous leaks in the Marvel franchise, including when the actor accidentally live-streamed the first 20 minutes of Thor: Ragnarok on Instagram during the movie’s premiere.

Camera IconEndgame is the direct sequel to last year’s Avengers: Infinity War, which grossed almost $3 billion worldwide. Credit: Marvel

He also accidentally spoiled the name of Avengers: Endgame last October while on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Another spoiler happened when Ruffalo and co-star Don Cheadle were being interviewed on Good Morning America about Avengers: Infinity War. “Wait until you see this next one,” Ruffalo said. “Everybody dies. Well, half.”

There has been much rumour and speculation about which key characters won’t return after Endgame with many predicting Captain America will be killed off as actor Chris Evans has said in interviews that he has basically retired from the role.

It could be the end of Iron Man, too, as Robert Downey Jr is also out of contract after this movie.